Anna Wiegand is a junior integrated studies major and writes ‘Tower of Babel' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. Write to Anna at acwiegand@bsu.edu.
If condemning the recent beheadings of four journalists and aid workers makes me “Islamophobic,” then I guess I am.
But that is not what Islamophobia is.
The National Union of Students in Britain recently rejected a supposedly Islamophobic motion denouncing the Islamic State and supporting the Kurdish forces fighting against it, igniting a flare of controversy in the process.
This is certainly not the first argument that has arisen since ISIS started making news this summer. In September, 35 student groups protested Yale University’s decision to invite Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an activist, author and vehement critic of Islam, to speak on campus.
As a former Muslim who experienced genital mutilation as a child and the murder of her friend by Islamic extremists, Hirsi Ali has numerous reasons to dislike Islam. She doesn’t mince words, and some have labeled previous statements concerning her former religion as hate speech.
The Yale Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics was one of the groups protesting her invitation to speak. As Hirsi Ali is an atheist, this provoked outrage from many, including prominent author and scientist Richard Dawkins, who shamed the students for hindering free speech.
Should criticisms of Islam be considered hate speech? Muslims unquestionably have the right to feel comfortable and accepted in the place where they live and study. Nothing about Hirsi Ali’s views is comfortable, but she isn’t calling for anyone to be beheaded.
Since 9/11, many Muslims have wrongfully faced increased levels of discrimination and hatred, which no one should have to deal with in a country that promises freedom of religion. With this country’s history of discrimination, it’s not surprising that some are hesitant to denounce a group of people. However, it’s not hateful nor Islamophobic to say that the group committing massacres and beheadings should be stopped.
By not denouncing ISIS, you’re basically saying that they have a valid interpretation of Islam. At some point, you have to define what is acceptable and what is not. In order to figure out how to stop the atrocities, every voice needs to be heard, including the unpopular ones.
The critics aren’t critical for no reason.
Recently ISIS has threatened to behead Peter Kassig, a veteran and medical worker from Indianapolis. On Nov. 2, ISIS executed at least 50 members of the Iraqi Sunni Albu Nimr tribe.
Instead of putting energy into being politically correct, spend time supporting the people who are working for peace within the religion to fight extremism.
Perhaps the most widely known example is Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani student who survived being shot by a member of the Taliban and recently became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in promoting education for girls.
Tolerance is an important quality to have in a diverse world, but tolerating someone’s willingness to kill people is irrational. Hirsi Ali may have harsh views about Islam, but she is not the problem.
The problem is anyone prepared to kill innocent people in the name of God, and we should be willing to support the people who would stop them, regardless of their religion.
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